Academic Misconduct

The University of Kansas Student Handbook

The following is Article II, Section 6 of the Rules and Regulations of the University Senate, revised as of August 2006.

2.6.1 Academic misconduct by a student shall include, but not be limited to, disruption of classes; threatening an instructor or fellow student in an academic setting; giving or receiving of unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of notebooks, themes, reports or other assignments; knowingly misrepresenting the source of any academic work; unauthorized changing of grades; unauthorized use of University approvals or forging of signatures; falsification of research results; plagiarizing of another's work; violation of regulations or ethical codes for the treatment of human and animal subjects; or otherwise acting dishonestly in research.

2.6.2 After consultation with the department chairperson, an instructor may, with due notice to the student, treat as unsatisfactory (1) any student work that is a product of academic misconduct, or (2) a student ' s performance for a course when there are severe or repeated instances of academic misconduct as defined in Section 2.6.1. If an instructor deems other sanctions for academic misconduct by a student to be advisable, or if a student wishes to protest a grade based upon work judged by an instructor to be a product of academic misconduct, or if a faculty member is charged with academic misconduct in connection with the assignment of a grade or otherwise, the case shall be reported to the Dean of the College or School in which the course is offered and processed in accord with applicable procedures.

2.6.3 If either party to a charge of academic misconduct or to a grade appeal involving a charge of academic misconduct is dissatisfied with the unit level resolution of the charge, he or she may seek review by the Judicial Board in accordance with applicable procedures.

2.6.4 Every instructor shall make clear, at the beginning of each course, his or her rules for the preparation of classroom assignments, collateral reading, notebooks, or other outside work, in order that his or her students may not, through ignorance, subject themselves to the charge of academic misconduct. An instructor has the authority to set reasonable rules for classroom conduct. When an instructor judges that a student's behavior is disruptive or obstructive to learning, the instructor can request that the student leave the classroom. Refusal to comply with a request to leave a classroom can itself be grounds for a charge of academic misconduct.

2.6.5 The following sanctions may be imposed upon a student or an instructor for academic misconduct:

Admonition: An oral statement that his or her present actions constitute academic misconduct.

Warning: An oral or written statement that continuation or repetition, within a stated period, of actions that constitute academic misconduct may be the cause for a more severe disciplinary sanction.

Censure: A written reprimand for actions that constitute academic misconduct. Censure may include a written warning.

Other sanctions that may be imposed upon a student for academic misconduct are:

Reduction of Grade for specific work: Treating as unsatisfactory any work that is a product of academic misconduct. Reduction of grade may include the assignment of an F for that specific work.

Reduction of grade for the Course: Reduction of grade may include the assignment of an F in the course.

Disciplinary Probation: Exclusion from participation in specified privileged or extracurricular activities for a period not exceeding one school year. The student ' s transcript will state that the student is on disciplinary probation for academic misconduct. The statement will be permanent unless the student applies to the University Provost for removal of the statement and the application is granted.

Suspension from a specific course: An instructor may suspend a student from the instructor's section of a course for academic misconduct. In cases involving physical violence or disruptive behavior, the suspension should occur immediately. In cases where a physical threat is made, the suspension should be reported to the KU Police Department. During suspension, a student is not permitted to withdraw, pending decision by the hearing committee. A suspended student may complete work for the course only if reinstated. Conditions for reinstatement to the course shall be stated by the instructor at the time of the suspension. These initial conditions are subject to review by the hearing committee. When suspending a student, the instructor shall, before the next meeting of the course, inform the chairperson of the department in which this course is offered. The department chairperson shall notify the student in person or by certified mail (postmarked on or before the day of the next class meeting) of the opportunity to be heard on the suspension. The department chairperson shall also inform the Dean of Students and other appropriate offices according to guidelines of the academic unit involved. If the student requests a hearing, the appropriate procedures (See Section 2.6.2) of the School or College, or at the department level where feasible, shall be initiated within five working days. The suspension will remain in effect pending review. Because this sanction places an immediate burden upon the suspended student, the department is obligated to act promptly. Options in such review include: reassignment of the student to another section of the course; reinstatement of the student into the course; upholding the suspension. In case of suspension through the end of the semester, a grade will be assigned by the instructor, subject to review by the hearing committee.

Suspension: Immediate exclusion from all courses and other specified privileges or activities for a definite period not to exceed two years, subject to review by the hearing committee. The student's transcript will state that the student is suspended for academic misconduct. The statement will be permanent unless the student applies to the University Provost for removal of the statement and the application is granted.

Expulsion: Termination of student status for an indefinite period. The conditions of readmission, if any, shall be stated in the order of expulsion. The student's transcript will state that the student is expelled for academic misconduct. The statement will be permanent unless the student applies to the University Provost for removal of the statement and the application is granted.

Other sanctions that may be imposed upon an instructor for academic misconduct are:

Recommendation of Suspension: Recommendation to the Chancellor that an instructor be excluded from teaching and other specified privileges or activities for a definite period not to exceed two years.

Recommendation of Dismissal: Recommendation to the Chancellor that an instructor be dismissed from the University staff for an indefinite period.

More than one sanction may be imposed upon a student or an instructor for the same offense or offenses.

2.6.6 All sanctions of Reduction of Grade for Specific Work, Reduction of Grade for the Course, Disciplinary Probation, Suspension from a Specific Course, Suspension, and Expulsion that are applied by the College and the Schools or their designated departments will be communicated to the Office of the Provost.

2.6.7 Students who receive a D or F in a course due to a finding of academic misconduct by a unit, school, or Judicial Board hearing body may repeat the course but are not eligible for the grade-replacement provisions of USRR 2.2.9.1 and 2.2.10.

[ Note: Students on sponsored research should review Article IX. ("Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations of Scientific/ Scholarly Misconduct") in the University Senate

Rules & Regulations (available in Watson and Anschutz libraries and the University Governance office, 33 Strong Hall). An electronic copy is available at the following URL: KU Policy Library